Summary: The Age of Wonders is a "new superheroes" setting which attempts to be as interesting as longer-established settings through the use of alternate realities, advancing technology, and the fact superhumans are capable of changing the world.

The Big Apple is usually depicted in media, especially Marvel comics, as one of the hearts of superheroic activity. All of its various knock-offs are welcoming and accommodating to superheroes, causing them to lead the way for superheroes world-wide.

Unfortunately, this is NOT the case on Earth-0.

New York City is one of the most dangerous cities in America for superheroes to operate in. Pendulum Sub-Director, Michael Saint Claire, runs his own branch of the organization as a private-army with none of the typical friendliness to superheroes found in other cities. His "zero tolerance" policy supported by both the State government and new-mayor Samantha Yage has resulted in superheroism being effectively outlawed.

A small number of superheroes, including The Innocent manage to avoid this quality but being given a license to be a superhero in New York City (an NYCSHL) is nearly impossible. As a result, the majority of superheroism is done by vigilantes and in-secret. Several superheroes have been arrested, tried, and imprisoned--a way of Michael Saint Claire subtly demonstrating that he believes Pendulum should change its existing policies.

The reason for this unusual policy is both for practical reasons as well as past history. New York City is a terrible city for superheroic brawls, particularly around skyscrapers. The potential for collateral damage is terrible and the costs for upgrading buildings against superhero battles (usually done by, ironically, superhuman construction companies) is prohibitively expensive.

The past history reasons relate to the fact that New York didn't have superheroes step up to fight crime during N-Day. Hundreds of civilians died in the resulting flare-up of powers and a disturbing number of career criminals received superpowers at Ryker's Island, resulting in a mass-breakout. The Christmas Gang War where twenty police officers and twice as many civilians were killed in a shoot-out between rival superhuman gangs is still infamous amongst New York citizens.

What's worse is the draconian policies of Mayor Yage and Subdirector Saint Claire haven't done anything to curb the tide of supervillain activity. Organized crime has grown extremely powerful, operating primarily from New Jersey while easily avoiding the Pendulum response teams. Violence is at an all-time high and the reputation of the city as a crime ridden hell hole (famous for it in the 70s and 80s) has returned.

Surprisingly, Subdirector Saint Claire isn't doing a bad job. While his opinion of superheroes is extremely low and isn't doing him any favors--the amount of terrorist attacks and number of criminal activities in New York is four times higher than in other cities.

Pendulum First Response Teams operating out of APCs with top-of-the-line weaponry and his heavy focus on investigation actually has created numerous precedents for "mundanes" fighting crime where they leave it to superheroes in other cities. It's just the competition is extremely harsh.

Mayor Yage, on the other hand, is flat-out a crook who is deliberately appointing corrupt and incompetent officials. Why? She is an agent of BOTH Phobos and one of New York's Five Families. She has flat-out murdered, mind-controlled, and bribed her way into her position. Worse, her approval rating is over 70%.

Due to the heavy-monitoring registered superhumans have to endure, this has resulted in a large number of "secret superhumans" being active in the city. Likewise, there are a stunning number of non-powered vigilantes in the city. The amount of crime has encouraged gadget and tech-powered heroes to step up and try and deal with the rising crime problem. The fact they have to do this with almost no support from Pendulum means casualties are pretty high.

Pugnus Dei has, shockingly, developed a huge following. Even more than Mister King, he's begun inspiring regular people to take up costume to fight street crime.

The Codexer assists these, serving as a mysterious computer hacker who uses a floating server which attempts to coordinate the activity of these non-powered vigilantes. Many believe the Codex is an associate of the Anarchitect. Others believe that the Codexer is actually an enemy of superheroes and attempting to gain their personal information. Another assistant to heroes is The Garage Sale, which is an arms-dealer in supertech weapons and armor--who only sells to superheroes.

The criminal kingpins in the city bear further mention. On the mob's side is Sierra Leone, the Italian cowboy-obsessed kingpin who openly flouts the laws against superhumans in the city and has rapidly risen to become the head of the "Sixth Family." The Devil Tigers, a Yakuza family which is less interested in Japanese tradition than carving the biggest section from the city as they can (notably employing superfast cars and motorcycles with nearly zero care to the pedestrians hurt in their way). They are lead by a pair of twins yielding hot and cold superpowers that grow weaker the closer they are--but which will kill them if they get too far apart. There is also the Bloody Hand street gang, which is a superhuman supremecist gang which has been absorbing violent street criminals one after the other as well as killing everything in their way.

The Bloody Hand is employed by Donald Serra, a wannabe real-estate developer with ties to Phobos. He has made millions lowering New York real-estate costs and covering up the murder of rivals or property owners in their crimes. He is using Phobos to "make superhumans more dangerous"--justifying his arming of the most violent and sociopathic superhumans there is--but has no real loyalty to their cause.

New York, due to its current rough state, is home to a number of free-roaming supervillains of considerable danger. There's the Hero Killer, notable for the fact she's put 32 costumed heroes in the ground, and The Zoo composed of animal-themed supervillains touting a metathrope supremacy screed to cover up their crimes. Baron Dread, Freelancer, Torment, The Spider, and Captain Carnage are other typical examples of New York supervillains--ranging from consummate professionals to murderous thugs.

The other major problem is that New York City's criminals are not nearly as stupid or flamboyant as they are in other places. For the most part, they're professional crooks as opposed to deranged Titan cultists or monsters.

Quite a few have read the Evil Overlord list, except it's more the "Michael Corleone List." Sierra Leone, especially, has no problem disposing of most rivals.

In short, to make it as a hero in New York is to deal with smart criminals AND unhelpful authorities.

The other major problem is that New York City's criminals are not nearly as stupid or flamboyant as they are in other places. For the most part, they're professional crooks as opposed to deranged Titan cultists or monsters.

Quite a few have read the Evil Overlord list, except it's more the "Michael Corleone List." Sierra Leone, especially, has no problem disposing of most rivals.

In short, to make it as a hero in New York is to deal with smart criminals AND unhelpful authorities.

It's the "Hard Difficulty" mode.

About some of the crime lords.

1. Would it be easy to mock the fact that Sierra Leone sounds like a porn star's name?

2. Are the Devil Tigers twins fraternal (as in opposite genders)? And if that's the case, are they pulling the Lannister routine?

1. Assuming you can survive the retaliation, the Spiderman/Kingpin routine would work well. Sierra Leone (not his real name, obviously) is roughly as smart as the Kingpin and about half as insulated as Taurus from Freedom City (which means he's VERY insulated) but he's NOT invulnerable.

2. Indeed, they are fraternal twins. Unlike the Fenris twins, however, they find the idea of BS incest to be revolting--mostly because they hate each other. Unfortunately, their power means they suffer each others pain and suffering. They aren't willing to test whether or not killing the other would kill them but would have done it otherwise.

(Their father deliberately pit them against each other growing up)

3. The Organization has tried several times to set up shop in New York. Usually, dozens of dead bodies result as the New York Syndicates violently protect their turf. The Devil Tigers are considering an alliance with them, though. Which would REALLY throw things for a loop. A typical AoW adventure, though, would be the Organization starting a gang war in the city and the PCs having to deal with it--deciding whether to oppose one side or the other or both.

The Octagon are doing a surprising amount of 'mentoring' in the city as the city's supervillain population is rising rather rapidly and could well replace many of their losses. This, of course, should be actively prevented. The Syndicates would also very much dislike their mercenaries joining the "costume club." It could well lead to another civil war.

Welcome to The Machine. The Machine will control New York City, the chaos you have escaped is just a precursor. The populace will reject the chaos and embrace The Machine. The Machine already has Cogs just like you with the mafia, the police forces, the unions, Wall Street, heroes, villains, and firemen. The Machine has Cogs everywhere from Staten Island to Brooklyn. The Machine cares not what you do except for one thing: Do Not Disobey The Machine. The Machine has Engineers and Repairmen who make sure The Machine runs smoothly and eliminate broken Cogs.

The Machine's purpose is simple. The Machine will create the most perfect and efficient society that humanity has seen, in this reality or any other. Everything will be inside The Machine. Nothing will be outside The Machine. Nothing will be against The Machine. The Machine sees the basic truth that New York City is tired of freedom. The Machine will combine the power of the city with the power of business to make all citizens Cogs. Those that reject The Machine will be removed.

The Machine is humble. The Machine will take New York City and make it a shining city on the hill of peace and order. Other cities, states, and countries will look upon The Machine in awe and beg to become another Cog in The Machine. Now, The Machine's first order to you Cog is to keep your place in The Machine a secret. The Machine feels that it is not time for The Machine to reveal itself to the public at large.

The origins of The Machine are not important. Know this, The Machine is absolute Cogs and groups of Cogs in The Machine are inconsequential in the long run. Your job Cog is to continue to destabilize this city. Once the city has been rocked to its foundations, the populace will cry out for help. The Machine will be there when they do so. The populace will cry out for order and The Machine will order their lives. The populace will cry out for peace and The Machine will enforce peace. The populace will beg to be controlled and The Machine will control them.

Welcome to The Machine. The Machine will control New York City, the chaos you have escaped is just a precursor. The populace will reject the chaos and embrace The Machine. The Machine already has Cogs just like you with the mafia, the police forces, the unions, Wall Street, heroes, villains, and firemen. The Machine has Cogs everywhere from Staten Island to Brooklyn. The Machine cares not what you do except for one thing: Do Not Disobey The Machine. The Machine has Engineers and Repairmen who make sure The Machine runs smoothly and eliminate broken Cogs.

The Machine's purpose is simple. The Machine will create the most perfect and efficient society that humanity has seen, in this reality or any other. Everything will be inside The Machine. Nothing will be outside The Machine. Nothing will be against The Machine. The Machine sees the basic truth that New York City is tired of freedom. The Machine will combine the power of the city with the power of business to make all citizens Cogs. Those that reject The Machine will be removed.

The Machine is humble. The Machine will take New York City and make it a shining city on the hill of peace and order. Other cities, states, and countries will look upon The Machine in awe and beg to become another Cog in The Machine. Now, The Machine's first order to you Cog is to keep your place in The Machine a secret. The Machine feels that it is not time for The Machine to reveal itself to the public at large.

The origins of The Machine are not important. Know this, The Machine is absolute Cogs and groups of Cogs in The Machine are inconsequential in the long run. Your job Cog is to continue to destabilize this city. Once the city has been rocked to its foundations, the populace will cry out for help. The Machine will be there when they do so. The populace will cry out for order and The Machine will order their lives. The populace will cry out for peace and The Machine will enforce peace. The populace will beg to be controlled and The Machine will control them.

I like it. The whole idea that New York's Depressed State has got people more inclined to some very old mistakes works quite well.

Sierra Leone, real name unknown, has a dream. He intends to restore the United States Mafia to its former state of glory, surpassing even Prohibition for influence and power. Disturbingly, unrealistic as this dream may be, he's certainly taken great strides towards it.

He's not just a mafia millionaire, he's a mafia billionaire, with a piece of the action from nearly every criminal enterprise in the city as well as many legitimate. Worse, his business extends from coast-to-coast and is only getting larger.

Sierra Leone's origins are shrouded in mystery. Pendulum's files on him are almost nonexistent Pre-N-Day and many people speculate he's an alien, extra-dimensional visitor, or somehow has erased his past. What is known is that he arrived in New York City post-N-Day and started organizing the lesser families into a cohesive unit.

No one knows how he intimidated or persuaded so many Wise Guys and Made Men into following his lead but everyone who stood in his way died horribly. Even more so, he seemed to have an almost mystical means of forcing legitimate businesses under his grip. Leone Investments and Financing makes hundreds of millions of dollars legitimately yet serves as a front for a far vaster criminal network.

Speculation he's a Nexi or wizard or demon are incorrect. In truth, Sierra Leone is "merely" a criminal genius. One of the few genuine ones to exist naturally on Earth-0, capable of shocking acts of brutality and brilliant coups of investment in equal measure. One who cares little about mafia traditions when they stand in the way of profit but exalts the myth of the mob in virtually every conversation.

People who come to work for Sierra Leone and his organization find an equal measure of cowboy mythology mixed with movie mafisio mystique. All of his businesses have a Spaghetti Western sensibility and he's particularly fond of employing superpowered gunfighters, having even used them as assassins and robbers (complete with robotic flying horses) just to remind folk they are vulnerable to him.

His employees find him a surprisingly congenial boss, rewarding good behavior and rarely punishing individuals for screw-ups which weren't their fault. This faux-affable charm disappears as he keeps his businesses sorted so that the true sociopaths are separate from those who think he's nothing more than a Friendly Neighborhood Gangster.

Sierra Leone has no problem murdering women, children, and families if it means protecting his business. He's not above creating wholesale collateral damage if it means disposing of opponents and he's used this method to frame superheroes before. The Allentown, NJ Massacre which killed most of the The Trixsters and traumatized Glow Girl was deliberately set up to turn public sympathy against New York City's superheroes.

Sierra Leone has an army of corrupt cops, politicians, ADAs, and lawyers in his pocket. The NYPD is not corrupted completely, however, with The Blues existing as a secret society of superhero-supporting cops determined to try and take down Leone's empire. This is due to Leone having arranged for the murder of the Chief of Police as well as numerous other honest cops in his way.

Sierra Leone is fiercely protective of New York and has done his best to keep the Organization and Octagon out of the city. This is despite both having made him an offer of membership. For whatever reason, the Don has a grudge against both and has murdered whatever members he can lay his hands on. He's not too fond of independent power-blocs like the Devil Tigers or Bloods either but primarily holds a grudge against those two groups.

Sierra Leone is a heavy-set man in his mid-sixties with a thick white-handlebar mustache and a slightly balding head. Many people have commented he bears a striking resemblance to Revolver Ocelot. He carries a magical token on himself which makes himself to be invulnerable and has John Dillinger's revolver, which has been enchanted to be able to hurt even invulnerable beings. In general, though, he doesn't engage in combat but leaves that to his super-powered bodyguards.

Sierra Leone, it should be noted often pretends to be "the lesser evil" when dealing with superheroes. He's been known to try and co-opt them into deals or sic them on his enemies. This strategy doesn't always work but when it does, he's been known to slowly reel them into his group. It's how Commander Baseball and El Maestro came to be assassins for his organization.